ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — May 13, 2011 — Dr. Shirley Miles, Associate Director for Education and Principal Deputy Director for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), has been awarded the 6th Annual University of Denver Morgridge College of Education's Leaders in Learning Award for 2008.

Established by the Morgridge College of Education in 2002, the Leaders in Learning Award recognizes alumni for their outstanding contributions and leadership to support, enhance, and advocate for education and livelong learning opportunities in their communities.

Dr. Edith W. King, Morgridge College of Education Faculty member and the Curriculum and Instruction Faculty of the Morgridge College of Education sponsored Dr. Miles for the Leaders in Learning Award.

"There could not be a more outstanding recipient of the Leaders in Learning Award than Dr. Shirley Miles," said Dr. King. "Having known Shirley for over 15 years, I can personally attest to her forthrightness, her eloquence, her courage in speaking forth for herself, for her organization and for students everywhere. She exemplifies the highest educational attainment and national stature a Morgridge College of Education and University of Denver graduate could reach."

To be nominated for the award, candidates should be alumni or former students of the University of Denver's College of Education or the Graduate School of Library and Information Management; demonstrate outstanding professional achievement or success in their fields; be recognized for leadership and innovation by colleagues in the field; involve themselves in significant community activities or charitable causes either as a professional or volunteer; and have experience and ability in speaking effectively to diverse audiences.

Dr. Miles' nomination recognized her achievement and leadership in education, including her present position as DoDEA's Principal Deputy Director; as Superintendent of the Tempe Union High School District; as Human Resources Director for the Air Academy School District in Colorado Springs, Colo.; and as principal of the Thomas Jefferson High School in the Denver Public School District.

The Leaders in Learning Award also recognized Dr. Miles for her involvement in community activities and charitable causes, including her dedication to support and enhance education for Native American students of the Yaqui and Maricopa tribes and her involvement with diversity and equal opportunity education for secondary students in the Denver and Colorado Springs metropolitan areas.

Dr. King accepted the award for Dr. Miles at the Morgridge College of Education Spring Graduation Ceremonies on June 5.

As DoDEA's Associate Director for Education, Dr. Miles is responsible for the instructional and educational programs in nearly 200 of DoDEA's schools worldwide. She also oversees personnel operations involving more than 13,000 DoDEA employees who support military families overseas and in the United States and its territories.

Dr. Miles earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver in 2001 and was awarded a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado in 1990. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado in 1984. She is a member of a variety of professional organizations including: Arizona School Administrators Association; Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; and the American Association of School Personnel Administrators. She is also an active member of many business and community organizations and has received numerous awards and certificates for community service and professional achievement.

DoDEA consists of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) located overseas, and the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) located in the United States and its territories and possessions. DoDEA provides education to eligible DoD military and civilian dependents from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages the education programs for Department of Defense (DoD) dependents who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education.

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